Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Recently some young fans were allowed to ask questions of author Tracey Hecht. These are those questions:

1. Do you ever know anyone in the classes you visit? Emma, age 8

Yes, I do! (I know Emma, the author of this question.) I love visiting classrooms and schools where I know the kids. It makes it feel personal and connected and it's fun for me to have a familiar face in the crowd. I did have one awkward experience where I said hi to a boy I knew—I recognized him as the older brother of my son's friend. He did not recognize me and it made him very uncomfortable. Especially because he really had no idea how I knew him! I felt terrible. I won't do that again.

2. Have you ever had to go to the bathroom really bad while you were presenting? Lincoln, age 10

I always use the restroom before I meet with a class or present to a school, so I haven't had that problem. But one time I almost fainted! I was visiting a school in New Jersey in late June. It was about 90 degrees in the school auditorium and I have no idea what happened except that I got halfway through my presentation and my vision started to spin. I couldn't hear properly and the sea of kids before me became a stormy, fuzzy sea of kids! I sat down as quickly as I could and tried to continue on, but I felt completely out of it. It was a close one. Can you imagine? “Nocturnals Author Goes Down in Front of 200 Kids.” Thank goodness not!

3. Have you ever gone to the wrong place? Kiera, age 8

Yep! Pretty much every visit. I get so lost in new towns and on unfamiliar highways and interstates. I'm always pulling over and redoing my GPS. On my last trip to the Chicago suburbs I used a rideshare and it was heaven! I may never rent a car again.

4. Have you ever thrown up because of nerves? Miranda, age 10

Thankfully, no! I get nervous sometimes, but so far no throwing up.

5. Do you do anything else when you go to a new town to visit a school? Taylor, age 9

Yes, I love the added benefits of visiting schools in other cities. I'll meet up with a friend if I have one in that town (and usually stay with them to save money!). I always visit the bookstores in the town. I also try to see if there are local exhibits, interesting museums, or local highlights if I have time. On my last trip to Seattle, I did the Underground Tour, which was totally random and really fun. But my all-time secret favorite thing to do is bring back take-out food to my hotel room and watch TV while eating dinner in bed!

Tracey Hecht is a writer and entrepreneur who has written, directed and produced for film. The American Booksellers Association chose her first book in The Nocturnals series, The Mysterious Abductions, as a Kids’ Indie Next List pick. Last year, in partnership with the New York Public Library, she created a Nocturnals Read Aloud Writing program for middle graders that has expanded nationwide. She splits her time between Oquossoc, Maine and New York City.

In TheFallenStar, Dawn, Tobin, and Bismark awaken one evening to a disaster: all of the forest's pomelos have been mysteriously poisoned! As the Nocturnal Brigade sets out to investigate, they encounter Iris, a mysterious aye-aye, who claims monsters from the moon are to blame. While the three heroes suspect a more earthly explanation, the animals of the valley are all falling ill. And then Tobin gets sick, too! The Nocturnal Brigade must race to find answers, and the cure, before the pomelo blight threatens to harm them all.